AFTER two years of high drama and mud-slinging, the soap opera of Sir Paul McCartney's failed marriage to Heather Mills began its final episode yesterday.

The Mills and McCartney divorce hearing will be thrashed out at the High Court in London this week.

And unlike the very public feuding that's happened since they split, this time they'll fight it out behind closed doors Yesterday, former model Mills - nicknamed Lady Mucca - arrived at court in a Mercedes with blacked-out windows.

She swept into the court with an entourage of seven - including her private make-up artist and personal trainer.

Heather was dressed in a black jacket over a pink blouse, a black skirt - and ankle boots by Sir Paul's designer daughter Stella.

Mills's lawyers, however, were absent. They dropped her after her bizarre rant on GMTV in November and outbursts on US telly. She is now representing herself.

The 40-year-old said nothing to reporters as she arrived in court.

Former Beatle Sir Paul arrived a few minutes later, wearing a dark pin-striped suit with a black and white knitted scarf.

He managed a polite: "Good morning" to the press pack.

Mills has famously compared herself to Princess Diana in the past. And yesterday, she even managed to upstage the late royal.

Some observers who were at the High Court for the inquests into Diana and Dodi Fayed left their posts to see the McCartneys arrive.

During yesterday's hearing, Mills is believed to have shown a film called Hunting Heather, which shows paparazzi following her.

She claims it shows she needs round-the-clock security for her and Beatrice, her four-year-old daughter by Sir Paul.

When yesterday's proceedings - heard by judge Mr Justice Bennet - were over, Macca left with with his barrister Nicholas Mostyn.

Macca, 65, said a polite, but firm, "No comment" when asked if any agreement had been reached.

A few minutes later, Mills left.

Mills is battling it out for a share of Macca's estimated £825million fortune.

And he is at risk of facing the biggest payout in British legal history - up to £60million according to some legal experts.

His lawyers will argue that the amount should be limited because their marriage lasted less than four years.

But unless one of the couple takes issue with the settlement, the details may never be made public. Mills and Macca married in June 2002.

At the time, Mills said Sir Paul had offered her a pre-nuptial agreement, but she refused.

When they split in May 2006, the couple blamed "constant intrusion" into their private lives. They also insisted the parting was amicable.

Last night, friends of Mills insisted she was not interested in Macca's money, but simply wants "justice."

Her former publicist Phil Hall said: "Money is not her motivation. She is relishing the opportunity to cross-examine Paul."

One of the sticking points is said to be Mills's desire to talk about their marriage. Macca is determined to have a confidentiality clause.